Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Flash news after SS10

20. 8. 2023 - Vojtěch Gargulák, David Štícha

The final day of this year's Barum Czech Rally Zlín took the competition crews to the special stages of Semetín, Pindula and Halenkovice, where treacherous tracks with variable conditions awaited them in tropical temperatures. Erik Cais flew into the day very quickly, winning two of the three stages in the first section and thus reducing the big loss he took because of yesterday's puncture. Not much has changed at the front, Miklós Csómos started an attack on Jan Kopecky's leading position, but even after ten special stages the ten time Barum rally winner still holds a lead of around twelve seconds. On the other hand, the leader of the European championship, Hayden Paddon, who damaged the suspension in Halenkovice and had to withdraw from the competition, disappeared from the ranking.

Albert von Thurn und Taxis (GER, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, no.16):
„It's not so nice to bet he first car on the track because you don't know the conditions and the lines, you still have quite a bit of dust, especially in Semetín. But it's also cool, we enjoyed it and we're looking forward to the afternoon."

Simone Tempestini (ROU, Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, no.15):
„The first stage was OK, it wasn't so warm yet, but then in the long one and the last one the conditions changed and it's really hot. Now we'll try to focus on the last three stages and try to go through them in a better way."

Erik Cais (CZE, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, no.11):
„We managed to set good times on Semetín and Pindula. Halenkovice is not my favourite stage, I tried to go as much competitive as possible. We had a small moment before the finish, so I slowed down a bit. Now I'm looking forward to go through these stages again."

Joshua McErlean (IRL, Hyundai i20 N Rally2, no.12):
„Every stage is something else, the grip is changing a lot, especially in the last one, where it's quite high and we'll probably have to change the car setup quite a lot for that. We're here for the first time so getting that experience is crucial for the next rallies as well. This morning was OK, the middle stage was probably our best, Pindula is a classic and having a good time there is nice."

Mathieu Franceschi (FRA, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, no.7):
„The grip was really strange during the whole loop, especialy in Semetín. After that we improved, and in the last stage we had some good pace. It's cool, I need to learn more about this rally, because it's completely crazy and new for me. So it's a nice experience and I'm looking forward to continue."

Efrén Llarena (ESP, Škoda Fabia R5, no.3):
„We're trying to push but we're on the limit. Dominik and Filip in front are doing a really good job, now Erik is behind us and he's for sure much faster. I think we need to keep in front of Mathieu, so let's see."

Dominik Stříteský (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, no.20):
„Our pace is better than yesterday. On Pindula we lost a few seconds but it's not anything horrible. Erik and Adam are flying. Time gaps are small. Nobody has their place safe yet."

Filip Mareš (CZE, Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, no.9):
„The organizers really managed to do an excellent job with the stages. I am doing better than yesterday, but I feel that it's still not quite right. I believe that we will take a breath this afternoon and it will be better. We are in a battle with Adam and Dominik, both are doing great. We will want to beat them even though they are locals and know the roads well. It is a long way to the finish, we won't give up."

Adam Březík (CZE, Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, no.21):
„It's very competitive rally as always, now even more in this weather. We didn't expect to be so high in the standings. Of course we'll try to keep Filip behind, but he knows how to drive for a podium here, so it's gonna be tough. We don't want to lose where we are and we have to have that in mind."

Simon Wagner (AUT, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, no.10):
„We tried to do something with the setup and changed back to what we had yesterday. The pace after that was quite good, so let's see, the afternoon is gonna be tricky. We just need to avoid any punctures and then we'll be fine."

Miklós Csomós (HUN, Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, no.14):
„We had a very good first loop. I am not going all in on Kopecký. We are trying to keep the car and tyres in good condition. Our main focus is to finish at the podium."

Jan Kopecký (CZE, Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, no.18):
„The guys are going really fast, Miklós is trying to catch us. In the first two stages he managed to do so, then we got some time back a bit. It's all in few seconds, so we'll have to go on at least the same fast, but ideally even faster."

Mads Østberg (NOR, Citroën C3 Rally2, no.2):
„It's nice to pass the stages. I would like to do Barum Rally again in the future. It will be nice to pass all the stages and of course in the power stage there is lot points to fight for. Its cruising on all the stages but on the power stage I want to push."

Věroslav Cvrček jun. (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, no.45):
„It's been great so far, some stages are completely new for us. Like Semetín, I've never driven that one in this reversed way. So we're gaining experience, I'm happy that we managed to pass it all without any problems and I hope we'll continue like that."

Aleš Jirásek (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, no.46):
„Yesterday we had a lot of bad luck, I imagined it differently. We had a problem with the engine temperature sensor. Also, with recharging and so on. Our performance went down because of that. On Troják I felt good, but in the last 3 kilometres I had two punctures. Today we have Semetín and Pindula, two stages where I don't feel comfortable. Then Halenkovice, I went full speed and that was relatively fast. I know where I can gain time."

Martin Vlček (CZE, Hyundai i20 R5, no.22):
„It was very tough, I don't uderstand how the guys can do such a fast times. I can say I'm on my limit, especialy physicaly and it's still not enough even for the TOP 10. It's weird, but the guys are really good."

Timo Schulz (GER, Opel Corsa Rally4, no.33):
„We were cautious. We have a good lead, and we don't need to push. The plan is to g through the Sunday without any mistakes or punctures. Semetín is very difficult, lot of jumps. Pindula also, incredible, slippery, nothing to compare with the rest of the rally."

Jaromír Tarabus (CZE, Peugeot 208 Rally4, no.41):
„We started very well, we can say, that we're holding the second place and closing the gap a bit. But I know that Schulz is gonna be even faster, he just drove here for the first time and he already showed us yesterday, that he can get much faster in the second runs. We'll try, we're not gonna give it to him for free, but I want to stay within my limits."

Max McRae (GBR, Peugeot 208 Rally4, no.32):
„I enjoyed Semetín and Pindula a lot. We got a stage win, which is quite cool. Also, I had a massive moment on the last stage, which was not so cool, but we are here. The plan now is just to finish, we are in a great spot."

Roberto Dapra (ITA, Peugeot 208 Rally4, no.30):
„Pipe broke and we lost a lot of oil in the middle of the stage where was the gravel section."

Mille Johansson (SWE, Ford Fiesta Rally4, no.35):
„I braked too late in the first hairpin. Second stage I spun in the middle, lost 25 seconds. Third stage pace notes weren't 100%. Hopefully it will be a better afternoon for us."